Born near New York in 1763, the son of Georgia-born slaves,
Bill Richmond was the first black boxer to gain international
recognition. He came to Britain when he was 14 as servant
to the Duke of Northumberland, who sent him to school in
Yorkshire and apprenticed him to a cabinet maker in York.
Richmond taught himself to box in a series of fights with
soldiers. His early fights were often a result of someone
abusing him racially, and after moving to London, Richmond
found a way to put his fists to good use. He became a prize-fighter,
and a very famous one. In 1805 he had two victories- he
beat a Jewish boxer called Yossoup in six rounds at Blackheath,
and a coachman called Jack Holmes, known as 'Tom Tough'
in 26 at Kilburn, but lost to the future English heavyweight
champion, Tom Cribb. Richmond didn't fight again in public
for three years; then, when he felt he was ready, he faced
and beat Jack Carter at Epsom Downs.

Having lost to George Maddox at Wimbledon Common, Richmond
fought him in a return match in 1809 for 100 guineas and
won, after 52 punishing rounds. He married after this fight
and with his winnings bought a pub, the Horse and Dolphin
in Leicester Square. At least once a week he had to teach
some young ruffian a lesson. He also ran a boxing academy,
and sometimes gave exhibition bouts at London theatres.
He was described as intelligent, communicative, humorous
and an excellent cricketer. He died in his home on 28th
December 1829.